“The House is of the opinion that removal of all restrictions on the movement of rice for the whole of India will encourage free trade in rice. This will naturally lead to free movement of rice out of Manipur and consequently to the increase in the price of rice. There is already apprehension in the minds of the public, that the new policy of removal of all restrictions will be detrimental to the interests of the public that the new policy of removal of all restrictions will be detrimental to the interests of the people of the State of Manipur and will encourage the traders and hoarders to carry on trade in rice and play their usual game. The result will be increase in the price of rice and disappearance of huge stocks of rice from Manipur. This will naturally cause hardships to the people and help worsen the economic situation.

In view of the above special conditions and in deference to the feelings of the people of this issue, the House recommends to the Central Government that the present policy is relaxed in the case of Manipur as to allow the Government of Manipur to impose restriction on the movement of rice from inside the territory of Manipur. “